Portable canopy or shelter



July 30, 1968 c. w. Moss 3,394,720

PORTABLE CANOPY OR SHELTER Filed Dec. 28, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 CHARLES W. MOSS BY M ATTORNEYS July 30, 1968 c. w. Moss 3,394,720

PORTABLE CANOPY OR SHELTER INVENTOR CHARLES W. MOSS By w I ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,394,720 PORTABLE CANOPY 0R SHELTER Charles W. Moss, 5270 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48105 Filed Dec. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 605,364 15 Claims. (Cl. 135-5) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable canopy or shelter comprising a flexible sheet material supported in a tensioned state and usable for indoor or outdoor display, recreational or like purposes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable canopy or shelter which is characterized by its simplicity, and which, in one of its forms, is a self-sustaining structure making it readily usable either for indoor or for outdoor purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable canopy or shelter which has a single sheet of fabric material characterized by its unique styling and aesthetic appearance when distended.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a canopy of the foregoing character which can be disassembled quickly and easily and when disassembled can be formed into a small, compact package.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable canopy or shelter which is characterized by its relatively low cost.

According to one form of the present invention, a portable canopy is provided having a sheet of flexible woven material of roached quadrilateral outline having a peak portion extending along one diagonal of the quadri-lateral, said sheet having sets of threads at right angles to one another. The threads of one set are arranged so that they are parallel to the other diagonal of the quadrilateral. Attachment means are connected to the sheet at opposite ends of the said other diagonal for exerting tension on the sheet away from the peak. A flexible resilient pole is attached to the sheet along said peak to distend the sheet upwardly at the peak and to exert tension on the sheet away from the attachment means. Normally, the pole will be attached to the sheet by being inserted into a tunnel which is formed in the sheet and which extends along the peak. In a preferred form of the invention, the portable canopy includes a base member comprising a socket for receiving one end of the pole, and rigid arms radiate from the socket to the attachment means which are secured to the radially outer ends of the arms. It is also preferred that the pole be formed from a plurality of sections which are telescoped together so that the pole can be collapsed into a relatively short assembly. In another form of the invention, it is contemplated that the pole be fitted into a socket which is adapted to be driven into the ground or into a similar supporting surface. In this arrangement the attachment means will also include stakes which also will be adapted to be driven into the ground or supporting surface.

According to another form of the invention, a second flexible pole is positioned in a bowed position under the flexible sheet, transversely of the first pole so as to arch the sheet in a direction normal to the first flexible pole, thereby providing more head-room under the sheet.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

3,394,720 Patented July 30, 1968 In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a portable canopy or shelter embodying one form of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating a preferred form of the flexible pole adapted for use with the portable shelter or canopy shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a modified form of a pole that may be used With the present invention;

FIGURE 6 illustrates another arrangement for supporting the pole used with the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a portable canopy or shelter embodying another form of the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 8.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawings, the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 1 will first be described in greater detail. The portable canopy or shelter 10 comprises a single sheet 12 of flexible material, a flexible, resilient pole 14 for supporting and aiding in distending the sheet 12, a base member 16 which can be used in conjunction with one form of the invention, and attachment means 18 for aiding in holding and tensioning the sheet 12 in a manner to be described.

The sheet 12 has two symmetrical sections 20 and 22 which are formed from a plurality of strips of woven material which are sewed together along their adjoining edges and which are then cut to provide a quadrilateral outline having the four roached edges 24. Thus, the strip 26 will be joined to the strip 28 which in turn will be joined to the strip 30 to form the one section 22. Similarly, the strip 32 will be sewed to the strip 34 and the latter will be sewed to the strip 36. However, before sewing the strips 30 and 36 together, each of such strips will be out along one edge to provide a curved edge so that when these two strips are sewed together along such curved edges they will define a peak portion 38 which extends along the one diagonal of the quadrilateral outline of the sheet 12. Also, when the curved edges of the strips 30 and 36 are sewed together, they will be sewed so as to define a hollow tunnel 39 which is closed at the end 40 of the peak and which is open at the other end 42. The tunnel is dimensioned so that it is adapted to receive the rod 14.

The strips 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 are conventional Woven material which have two sets of threads at right angles to one another with one set of threads running lengthwise of the strips and the other set of threads running crosswise of the strips. Thus, when the strips are sewed together into the configuration of the sheet 12, one of these sets of threads will extend in a direction parallel to the diagonal extending between the corners 44 formed at the intersections of the roached edges 24. Thus, the attachment means 18 will tension the threads extending along this diagonal.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE l, the pole 14, which normally will be formed from a flexible material such as fiber glass, or the like, extends the full length of the tunnel 39 formed in the peak of the sheet 12, and has its lower end extending into a socket 46 formed in the base member 16. Radiating from the socket member 46 are a pair of rigid arms 48 which are arranged generally at approximately a ninety degree angle to each other and extend outwardly to positions adjacent to the corners 44 of the sheet 12. Secure to the remote ends of the rigid arms 48 are the ropes or attachment means 18 for securing the corners 44 in place with respect to the remote ends of the arms 48. Thus, when the portable canopy or shelter is in its erected position shown in FIGURE 1, each of the attachment means 18 will exert a tension on the sheet 12 away from the peak 38, and the flexible pole 14, which is attached to the sheet 12 means of the tunnel extending diagonally therethrough, will distend the sheet upwardly and exert tension on the sheet away from said corners 44. From the foregoing description it will be recognized that the two symmetrical sections 20 and 22 each define, in effect, a generally hyperbolic-paraboloid-like shape wherein the threads extending between the attachment means 18 and the curved peak 38 assume an upward concave shape, and the other threads running in the perpendicular direction assume an upward convex shape.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, a more detailed illustration is provided of the preferred construction of the pole 14. As there shown, the pole 14 is formed from a plurality of tubular sections 50, 52 and 54 which are tapered and are telescopically fitted together. The dimensions of the various sections are such that they can be collapsed together within the largest tubular section 50, but they cannot be extended beyond the illustrated positions. As is readily understood, this is accomplished by having the external taper at the lower end of section 52 slightly larger than the smallest internal taper at the upper end of the section 50, and similarly, the largest taper at the lower end of section 54 is slightly larger than the smallest taper at the upper end of section 52. Preferably the several sections are made from fiber glass or the like.

The invention is not limited to a portable canopy having a collapsible pole 14 such as has been described. If desired an integral one-piece pole 56 can be employed, such as is illustrated in FIGURE 5.

It is also to be understood that the present invention is not restricted to a construction embodying the base member 16. Under certain circumstances it may be desired to mount the canopy on a surface on which stakes can be driven into the surface in a manner shown in FIGURE 6. As there shown a socket 58 is provided for the pole 60 and the socket 58 can be driven into the surface 62 by means of the stake 64. When using this means for supporting the canopy, it will be understood that a conventional stake will be employed to which the attachment means 18 will be secured.

Attention is now directed to FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 for a more detailed description of the form of the invention therein shown. The portable canopy or shelter 110 comprises a single sheet 112 of flexible material, a flexible, resilient pole 114 for supporting and aiding in distending the sheet 112, a base member 116 which can be used in conjunction with one form of the invention, and attachment means 118 for aiding in holding and tensioning the sheet 112 in a manner to be described. This form of the invention also includes a second flexible, resilient pole 120 which normally is formed of the same material as the pole 114. The second pole 120 is positioned transversely of the first pole 114 in a position to arch the sheet 112 upwardly as shown best in FIGURE 9.

In this form of the invention the pole 120 is shown secured in the sockets 122 of the base member 116, but

the end portions can terminate in short tunnels having closed ends in the sheet 112, adjacent to the attachment means 118, and such attachment means 118 can then be secured to the supporting surface or to the base member 116. The main function of the second pole 120 is to arch the sheet 112 in a transverse direction, as shown, to provide more clearance under the sheet. By virtue of this arrangement the portable canopy or shelter can be used in conjunction with attractive displays of new motor vehicles, for example, wherein a new vehicle is Positioned under the canopy 110. The canopy 110 will then properly frame the vehicle and provide adequate head room for spectators and customers.

The sheet 112 can be formed of any suitable flexible sheet material, and preferably, the sheet 112 will have a tunnel 122 served therein so as to provide a curved peak portion through which the flexible pole 114 extends. As in the embodiment of FIGURE 1, the tunnel 122 normally will be closed at the upper end. Thus, the pole 114 will urge the sheet 112 upwardly along the peak portion so as to tension the sheet away from the attachment means 118. The second pole will also tension the sheet in the shape of an arch, as shown. The second pole 120 can be retained in place under the sheet 112 by means of a plurality of short aligned tunnels 124 sewed in the sheet 112.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that a simple but attractive portable canopy or shelter has been provided which has unique styling and appearance when distended. The portable canopy or shelter can be erected or disassembled quickly and easily and when disassembled the entire unit can be rolled into a relatively small compact package.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A portable canopy comprising a flexible resilient pole, supporting means for securing rigidly one end of said pole in a generally vertical position on a supporting surface, a sheet of flexible material having a peak portion extending across it, first attachment means securing the peak portion of said sheet to said pole with the other end of said pole located at one end of said peak portion, and other attachment means connected to said sheet at remote positions on opposite sides of said peak portion exerting tension on said sheet downwardly and laterally away from said peak portion thereby bowing said pole, said pole urging said sheet upwardly along said peak portion so as to tension the sheet way from said other attachment means.

2. A portable canopy according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of flexible material has two symmetrical sections each defining a hyperbolic-paraboloid-like shape, said sections being joined to define said peak portion.

3. A portable canopy according to claim 1, wherein a second flexible resilient pole is bowed and has its opposite end portions secured to said sheet at said remote positions, the mid-portion of said second pole extending under said sheet so as to distend it in an upward direction.

4. A portable canopy according to claim 1, wherein said first attachment means comprises a tunnel in the material of said sheet and into which said pole extends.

5. A portable canopy comprising a sheet of flexible material of quadrilateral outline and having a curved peak portion extending along one diagonal, attachment means connected to said sheet at opposite ends of the other diagonal exerting tension on said sheet downwardly and laterally away from said peak portion, and a resilient pole attached to said sheet along said peak portion and having one end projecting downwardly from one end of said one diagonal supported in a vertical position on a supporting surface, the other end of said pole terminating at the other end of said one diagonal at an elevated location with respect to said supporting surface, said pole urging said sheet upwardly along said peak portion so as to exert tension on the sheet away from said attachment means.

6. A portable canopy comprising a sheet of flexible material having symmetrical sections each defining a hyperbolic-paraboloid-like shape, said sections being joined to define a curved peak and having side edges diverging from opposite ends of said peak to corners on opposite sides of said peak, attachment means connected to said sheet at each of said corners for exerting tension on the sheet away from said peak, and a flexible pole having one end attached to said sheet along said peak and the other end supported in a substantially vertical position to distend said sheet upwardly and to exert tension on the sheet away from said corners.

7. A portable canopy according to claim 6, wherein said sections are joined together at said peak so as to define a tunnel which is closed at one end and open at the other end, and said flexible pole extends lengthwise through said tunnel to the closed end thereof.

8. A portable canopy according to claim 6, which includes a base member comprising a socket receiving one end of said flexible pole and rigid arms radiating from said socket to said attachment means for attachment thereto.

9. A portable canopy according to claim 6, wherein said sheet has two sets of threads at substantially right angles to each other, one set of threads being parallel to a vertical plane containing said corners, the threads of the other set being located either in one or the other of said sections and such threads in each section being parallel respectively to an associated plane containing the ends of said peak and passing between said peak and the corner in such section.

10. A portable canopy according to claim 9, wherein said sheet comprises a pluraltiy of strips of woven material joined at their edges said one set of threads being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said strips.

11. A portable canopy according to claim 1, wherein said flexible pole comprises a plurality of sections telescoped together for extending and contracting the pole.

12. A portable canopy comprising a sheet of flexible woven material of roached quadrilateral outline having a peak portion extending along one diagonal, said sheet having sets of threads at right angles to one another, the threads of one set being parallel to the other diagonal of the sheet, attachment means connected to said sheet at opposite ends of said other diagonal for exerting tension on said sheet away from said peak portion, and a pole having one end attached to said sheet along said peak portion and the other end supported in a substantially vertical position to distend said sheet upwardly at said peak portion and to exert tension on the sheet away from said attachment means.

13. A portable canopy according to claim 12, wherein said sheet has a tunnel extending the length of said peak portion, and said pole is attached to the sheet by having a portion of its length extending through said tunnel.

14. A portable canopy according to claim 12, wherein said pole is flexible and resilient.

15. A portable canopy according to claim 13, wherein said pole is flexible and resilient.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,263,867 11/1941 Barnard 135-1 2,705,928 4/ 1955 Pont 5280 3,060,949 10/ 1962 Moss 135-1 3,223,098 12/1965 Dole 135-4 3,269,398 8/1966 Holbitz 1353 3,285,260 11/1966 Rowe 135-3 XR KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner. 

